Origin of Breeds. 79 



to the selection of the individuals who are to breed 

 together." 



The exact origin of the common domestic fowl and its 

 numerous varieties is unknown. It is doubtless derived 

 from one or more of the wild or jungle fowls of India. 

 Some naturalists are of opinion that it is derived from the 

 common jungle fowl known as the Gallus Bankiva of Tem- 

 minck, or Gallus Ferrugineus of Gmelin, which very closely 

 resembles the variety known as Black-breasted Red Game, 

 except that the tail of the cock is more depressed ; while 

 others consider it to have been produced by the crossing 

 of that species with one or more others, as the Malay 

 gigantic fowl, known as the Gallus Giganteus of Temminck, 

 Sonnerat's Jungle Fowl, Gallus Sonneratii, and probably 

 some other species. At what period or by what people 

 it was reclaimed is not known, but it was probably first 

 domesticated in India. The writers of antiquity speak of 

 it as a bird long domesticated and widely spread in their 

 days. Very likely there are many species unknown to us 

 in Sumatra, Java, and the rich woods of Borneo. 



The process by which the various breeds have been pro- 

 duced " is simple and easily understood," says Mr. Wright. 

 "Even in the wild state the original breed will show some 

 amount of variation in colour, form, and size ; whilst in 

 domestication the tendency to change, as every one 

 knows, is very much increased. By breeding from birds 

 which show any marked feature, stock is obtained of 

 which a portion will possess that feature in an increased 

 degree; and by again selecting the best specimens, the 

 special points sought may be developed to almost 

 any degree required. A good example of such a 

 process of development may be seen in the l white face' so 

 conspicuous in the Spanish breed. White ears will be 

 observed occasionally in all fowls ; even in such breeds as 

 Cochins or Brahmas, where white ear-lobes are considered 

 almost fatal blemishes ; they continually occur, and by 

 selecting only white-eared specimens to breed from, they 

 might be speedily fixed in any variety as one of the 

 characteristics. A large pendent white ear-lobe once 



